Yan Ning stared blankly at Bai Lian. Did he like her? And did she like him? A gust of wind blew, and a petal fell. Bai Lian was already withered, unable to withstand the wind; the other petals swayed precariously, needing only one more gust of wind to fall completely. Just like her relationship with him, without trust, it was afraid it couldn't withstand the storms of life.
In the military tent, Agui, Hailancha, and Fukang'an gathered to discuss the war, with Agui sitting in the general's seat and issuing orders.
"Now that the White Lotus Sect has colluded with Senggesang, it will be even more difficult to deal with them. Fukang'an, you have already captured many of the enemy's bunkers and are familiar with the enemy camp. You will be the vanguard again this time. Hailancha, the White Lotus Sect members are scattered and mostly misled people. If we cannot persuade them to surrender, then we will not spare a single one."
For several days in a row, it rained heavily. Fukang'an led his elite ladder battalion to attack the enemy's bunkers in the rainy night. Because they were caught off guard, many of Senggesang's bunkers were destroyed by Fukang'an.
Emperor Qianlong's urgent imperial edict, delivered over 800 li (approximately 400 kilometers), further boosted the morale of the entire camp.
"By imperial decree, Fucha Fukang'an has strengthened the morale of our Great Qing army and emboldened the rebels. He is hereby granted the title of Jiayong Baturu and appointed Grand Minister of the Interior. So be it!"
Zhao Xing told Yan Ning that Baturu means hero.
For months, Fukang'an either went deep into the enemy camp to understand the structure of its bunkers, or stayed in the military council tent to read military books and plan strategies to attack the enemy. The enemy's bunkers had long since become vulnerable in the face of the Jianrui Cloud Ladder Battalion led by Fukang'an.
Every time Yan Ning saw Fukang'an, he looked utterly exhausted. Although she felt heartbroken, she still maintained a cold expression towards him.
The lotus stems in the vase had withered and died in the wind, and Yan Ning's earlier feelings for Fu Kang'an—that she only wanted to have it once and not for it to last forever—had also settled down with the passage of time.
In the dead of night, Yan Ning got up and stood by the window. This place is mountainous, and the July nights are cold; even the moonlight seemed chilly.
Camping far from any city, the only chill is the loneliness and longing. Yan Ning clutched the jade pendant around her neck, gazing at the clear night sky, tears streaming down her face. She wondered if her mother and brother were looking at the same night sky as she was.
Suddenly, the bugle sounded, and the desolate military camp began to clamor. "Miss, someone is attacking the camp. Please do not come out for the time being." After saying this, the four soldiers guarding Yan Ning's door went to help.
Yan Ning thought anxiously, "Hailancha is besieged by the enemy. Fukang'an took most of the troops in the camp to help him. Someone must have gotten wind of this and taken advantage of the situation. Will Fukang'an be in trouble?" Then she shook her head. "He is skilled in martial arts and resourceful. How could he be in trouble?"
Yan Ning's heart stirred. The military camp was in chaos, and Fukang'an was not there. It was the perfect time for her to leave the military camp.
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